Woman jailed for six years in trafficking case sues St. Paul

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In the Pioneer Press, Mara Gottfried writes, “Hamdi Ali Osman lost the last six years of her freedom, spending four of them behind bars. Now, she’s filed a lawsuit claiming a St. Paul police officer’s lies put her there. Osman 26, is seeking $2 million per year she was in pretrial detention, for a total of $12 million in damages. … Three and a half weeks ago, Osman was released from the county jail in Bowling Green, Ky., where she said she and other inmates spent 23 hours a day locked in their cells. She’d been there for four years and on home arrest for two years.”

Also in the PiPress, David Montgomery writes, “The battle lines have been drawn for Minnesota’s $900 million projected budget surplus. One month after Gov. Mark Dayton proposed to spend three-fourths of that surplus on early childhood education, racial disparities, rural broadband, mental health, targeted tax cuts and higher education, the House Republican majority offered their own proposal: spend all $900 million on tax cuts and transportation.”

MPR’S Tim Pugmire says, “Minnesota House Republicans rolled out a supplemental budget blueprint Thursday that proposes no net increase in state spending. Their targets for finance committees include some increases, including a boost in rural broadband funding. But there’s an equal amount of cuts in other budget areas. State government finance, for example, is reduced by $9.5 million. There are also cuts in agriculture and public safety. There’s no change in K-12 or higher education.”

In the Star Tribune, Tim Harlow and Liz Sawyer report, “Law enforcement officials said Friday that a suspect has been arrested in the shooting death of a man at a law office above St. Paul’s historic W.A. Frost & Company restaurant. … The shooting resulted in a several-hour lockdown, evacuation and street closure late Thursday afternoon at one of the city’s busiest intersections. … Chisago County officials said they arrested the man late Thursday after he lead authorities on a pursuit through Washington County.”

From a WCCO-TV story we learn, “An NFL football player who once played for Wayzata High School says he’s retiring from the sport because of concern over concussions. A.J. Tarpley, 23, announced his decision on an Instagram post late Wednesday. ‘This decision is the hardest I’ve made yet but after much research and contemplation I believe it’s what is best for me going forward,’ Tarpley said.”

Says a KMSP-TV story, “The Minnesota Department of Health has confirmed a virus outbreak affecting at least 28 students at University of Minnesota residence halls. Health officials are leaning strongly toward norovirus, but have not yet confirmed what’s making the students sick. The source of the illness is also unknown at this time.”

Also, says Frederick Melo in the PiPress, “An East Side St. Paul bar that has become a magnet for brawlers will have to pay the city of St. Paul a $1,000 fine. With bar fights breaking out almost nightly last year, Louie’s Bar on Payne Avenue recently made headlines for temporarily banning anyone under age 40 in order to cut down on troublemakers.”

This via Vikings.com: “The NFL has released the 2016 preseason schedule. The Vikings will spend the first two weeks on the road as they face the Cincinnati Bengals during Week 1. … Week 3 will be a national FOX broadcast as the Vikings make their debut at U.S. Bank Stadium against the San Diego Chargers. Kickoff will be at 12:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 28.”

Says John Enger for MPR, “Comedian Ralphie May will not be performing in Bemidji. His Saturday show at the Sanford Center was canceled by the city Thursday morning, three days after a piece of racially charged audio from a 2005 appearance was uploaded to Youtube, and sparked a social media outcry. Bemidji owns the Sanford Center, which gives city officials veto power over shows. In the 44 second clip May, who is well known for a raucous brand of comedy, calls Native Americans a ‘bunch of alcoholics’ who should ‘get a job,’ and ‘get a haircut.’”

Also for MPR, Emma Sapong reports, “Minneapolis police are still searching for the occupants of an SUV who allegedly shot a woman four times near Hennepin and Groveland avenues early Tuesday evening. Police have released photos of the suspect vehicle, a light-colored Jeep Grand Cherokee. ‘We’ve had a have a very positive response from the community in helping to locate the vehicle,’ said John Elder, the department’s spokesperson, ‘but we’re not there yet, so we continue to ask for the public’s help.’ … Elder said leads have been pouring in through Crime Stoppers, which gives an award for eligible tips leading to an arrest and charge.”

For the Forum News Service, Don Davis reports, “Minnesotans who do not graduate from high school no longer must pay for GED tests to receive the equivalent of a diploma. The state began paying for the tests in February and on Thursday Gov. Mark Dayton announced the aid will continue through June; he has asked the Legislature to approve another $120,000 to keep the program funded next year. Up to 2,000 Minnesotans could get the aid … .”

Comments (3)

No action to expand rural broadband last year even though increased attention to the needs of outstate Minnesota was one of the things they ran on. But now – in an election year – suddenly their “heartfelt concern” for rural Minnesota broadband makes an appearance. I’m truly touched. Not.

The last election cycle the Republicans promised to fix rural Minnesota’s broadband dessert condition. How did they do? After the last election and being embarrassed to deliver on their promise they produced a paltry amount of dollars to fix rural Minnesota’s lack of broadband capability. How did they do? Well here they are again, because they want you to be their friend for another election. With friends like them you shouldn’t need much more help beyond the lip service they are dealing out for this election cycle too. As you enter the voting booth this fall I hope you remember all the help the Republicans have given you getting up to speed with the rest of Minnesota. Just ask yourself the question, How did they do?, then vote Republican if you want the same result.